Great Film: Mr 3000
Bernie Mac drives one home
Bernie Mac is what makes you watch Charles Stone III's "Mr. 3000". Mac
is totally funny and has a great screen presence. No doubt this is a
star vehicle for Mac, who really benefits from a surprising screenplay
by Eric Champnella, Keith Mitchell, and Howard Gould. Their "Mr. 3000"
is funny, edgy, and appropriately sentimental. Bernie Mac plays Stan
Ross, a great Major League hitter, and also a major league arrogant
jerk. Upon reaching his 3000th hit and securing his place in the Hall
of Fame, Stan retires leaving his team in a lurch just before the
playoffs. Stan parlays his "Mr. 3000" title into a successful business.
However, 9 years later when Stan is on the verge of possible sports
immortality with an induction into the Hall of Fame, a statistical
error reveals that Stan Ross, "Mr. 3000", is really Stan Ross "Mr.
2997". Stan is shy 3 hits-- pretty much killing any chance of a trip to
Canton. So at nearly 50 years old, Stan decides to make a comeback.
Seeing the potential of increased ticket sales by his return, his old
team welcomes him back. Well, at least the owners do. How difficult
would it be to get 3 more hits? Well, that is some of the movie.
Bernie Mac has this charm about him that even when playing a world
class arrogant jerk, he is still likable. That is amazing. However, in
the evolution of the story by Champnella, Mitchell, and Gould, Stan's
(Mac's) introspection of the man he was in his youth is effective and
at times poignant. Mac as Stan is smart and gradually sees the impact
of selfishness on his teammates in the past and present, and with his
old flame Mo (a wonderful and gorgeous Angela Bassett). He sees much of
his young self in superstar hitter T-Rex (a commanding Brian J. White).
Consequently Stan gives T-Rex a wake up call. T-Rex could end up being
a lone jerk like Stan, or he could really make a profound difference by
being a leader, and inspire his teammates. This is one of the great
touches of the "Mr. 3000". Another great touch is Michael Rispoli as
Stan's one loyal friend, Boca, who finally points out to Stan that he
loves him, because he can always count on Stan to do what is right for
Stan, regardless of anyone else. At the heart of the movie is the
amazing Angela Bassett as Mo. She knows that Stan is a jerk and she
still loves him. She also is sad and angry that Stan doesn't just grow
up, knock it off, and be the great man that he deserves to be.
The end really took me by surprise-- I did not expect it. Without
giving anything away, everything works out sometimes in the most
unsuspecting ways.
Bernie Mac is wonderful here. "Mr. 3000" is that cool fantasy movie
where one gets to atone and correct for being young and stupid. And I
guess we all continue to do this is some way or fashion. "Mr. 3000"
also does this with a sense of humor. This is a great thing.
Cast
- Minadeo played by Amaury Nolasco
- Fryman played by Evan Jones
- Stan Ross played by Bernie Mac
- Maureen "Mo" Simmons played by Angela Bassett
- Boca played by Michael Rispoli
- Rex 'T-Rex' Pennebaker played by Brian J. White
- Fukuda played by Ian Anthony Dale
